Girls chess tournament to benefit The Living Room program

There are probably a lot of kids who’ve never mastered chess or
even played the game. Branded as an intense, competitive and
intellectual thinking game, the stereotypes undoubtedly have
deterred many youngsters, leaving the age old pastime to a select
and mature few that were often male.
But all that is changing now and regardless of the cultural
preconceptions, chess is for anyone who wants to play — young girls
included.
There’s even an all girls chess tournament in Sonoma County to
prove that a new way of thinking has taken hold. Decked out with
pink boards, pink sets and pink t-shirts, an all girls chess
tournament will be held at Ursuline High School on Feb. 19 at 10
a.m.
“This is a fun event that is low key rather than competitive,”
said Chess Instructor, Marc Hayman.
The tournament, now in its second year, attracts girls from all
over the county ranging in age and skill level. Girls from grades
1st through 8th were the primary participants last year, but
registration is open to all ages. Placed in quads or groups of
four, the players are matched according to age and skill level.
“Chess is a game that helps individuals to focus, concentrate,
and plan,” said Hayman of Chess For Kids, Inc., the nonprofit
organization that hosts the all-girls tournament and other
tournaments, in addition to teaching the game in schools throughout
the county.
Forestville Academy, Guerneville School, Apple Blossom
Elementary, Fitch Mountain School, and Brooks Elementary are some
of the local schools that have offered chess classes to students.
Each class consists of 30 minutes of formal instruction, and 30
minutes of coached play.
“It’s been proven that chess helps students academically, in a
wide range of subjects, teaching them the persistence to think
problems through and better understand spatial relationships,” said
Hayman. In April a countywide chess tournament open to both boys
and girls will be held at Strawberry Elementary School in Santa
Rosa.
All participants in the upcoming all girls chess tournament will
receive a prize, with trophies awarded to the winners of each
quad.
Last year, 40 girls from throughout Sonoma County participated
and the proceeds from the event benefitted the Sutter Women’s
Breast Cancer Prevention Program.
“Since it is an all girls tournament, we wanted to choose a
women’s organization to support,” said Hayman.
This year, organizers are again expecting more than 40
participants to turn out, and will donate the proceeds to The
Living Room, a homeless day shelter for women and children.
For more information or to register call 527-6427 or go online
to www.chessclubforkids.com.